Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.
When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.”
And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
– Genesis 29:20-30
Devotion
Jacob ultimately labored for a total of 14 years to marry the woman he loved. That 14 year period was followed by laboring as a shepherd for his father-in-law, Laban, was followed by six more years of working to accumulate his own portfolio of live-stock. During the whole 20 year period, Jacob found himself repeatedly being swindled and manipulated by his father-in-law. However, God was always at work. He was at work in Jacob’s life by allowing Jacob, “the deceiver,” to experience being deceived and manipulated. God was working out His purpose in Jacob’s life and preparing him for God’s future purposes. However, even in the midst of this extended family friction, God blessed Jacob and the work of his hands and increased his flocks and herds at the expense of Laban.
The Big Question
Are you sometimes manipulated, deceived, or treated unfairly by others? As you experience those things-or remember them from the past-ask God to help you see His fingerprints in those situations and what He is working to accomplish in and through you.
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.